Laundry tag stapling machine



Oct. 18, 1955 P. N. BRAUN V LAUNDRY TAG STAPLING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 1, 1954 R. 2 m y N mm L. m@ Y B Oct. 18, 1955 P. N. BRAUN 2,720,650

LAUNDRY. TAG STAPLING MACHINE Filed June 1, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 N {28 E ll ,73 7| INVENTOR. PH/L/P N. Elena/N BY M ifia United States Patent LAUNDRY TAG STAZPLING'MACHINE Pliilip N. Braun, Syracuse, N. Y.

Application June '1, 1954, Serial No. 433,387

6 Claims. (Cl. 13)

'indicia, is positioned in front of the stapling head. The

garment, or other article, is draped over the anvil, and the anvil moved toward the stapling head and, upon engagement therewith, a staple is ejected from the head through the tag and garment, and theprongs of the staple are clinched by the anvil.

This invention has as an object a tag stapling machine,

the anvil of which is provided with a tag holder so formed and positioned as to hold a tag of V formation with a portion of the tag exposed and in registration with the staple ejector of the stapling head, whereby the edge of a garment or article may be inserted in the V shaped tag preparatory to the stapling operation. This arrangement accordingly staples the tag to the garment, with the tag extending about the edge of the garment and overlying 'both sides thereof, whereby the end portions of the tag are securely stapled to the garment, thereby avoiding the possibility of the tag being accidentally detached from the garment during its process through the laundry or dry cleaning plant.

Accidental detachment of the tags now occur because only the area of the tag receiving the staple is afixed to the garment. Usually, the staple is inserted through the central portion of the tag, leaving both ends of the tag free and loose or, if the tag is stapled at one of its ends, the major portion of the tag is free and loose from the garment, with the result that occasionally the tags become detached.

The invention has as a further object a structure carried by the anvil for yieldingly clamping or securing a tag to the upper surface of the anvil, the major portion of the tag extending outwardly perpendicular to the clinching surface of the anvil above the tag holder, whereby application of the edge of the garment to the extending portion of the tag, forces the tag downwardly into V formation into the tag holder carried by the anvil. This avoids the folding of the individual tag by the operator previous to its insertion into the tag holder.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this invention, reference is had to the accompanying drawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in all the views.

In the drawings- Figure 1 depicts the stapling head and anvil structure and contiguous portion of the frame of a tag applying machine in side elevation.

Figure 2 is an en arged side elevational view of the upper end of the stapling head and the confronting staple clinching end portion of the anvil, the anvil being shown "ice moved forwardly with a tag positioned in the tag holder and the edge portion of a garment positioned in-thejtajg, the stapling operation having been completed.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the'anvil and tagholder.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan view of the anvil and tag holder.

Figure 5 is an end view of the structureshown in Figures 3 and 4 looking to'the right therein.

Figure '6 is a side e'levational'view of the anvil shown in modified form of tag holder.

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2 illustrating the position of the stapling head and tag holder shown in Figure 6 during the stapling operation.

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the structure shown in Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a bottom plan view of the structure shown in Figure'6.

Figure 10 is an end elevational view looking to the right, Figure 6.

Figure ll is a fragmentary view of the edge portion of an article with a tag afiixed thereto.

The stapling head 20, in the form shown in Figure 1, is supported on a pin 21 fixed in the side wall of the frame 22. The stapling head is provided with a staple driver 23 carried by a leaf spring 24 and being normallypositioned against a bracket 25 carried by an upright 26 of the frame, see Figure 1.

The anvil 28 is movable toward andfrom the stapling head 20. As shown, the anvil is fixed to the outer end of an arm 29 pivotally mounted at its lower .end on a .pin 30 carried by the side member 22 of the frame. It will be understood that the garment is normally draped 'over the anvil overhanging the end 31 of the anvil confronting the stapling head, and which is usually provided with a hardened insert clinching block 32 formed with clinching recesses 33, see Figures 2 and 5. With this arrangement, when the anvil 28 is pressed into engagement with the stapling head, the head swings in a counter-clockwise direction Figure 1, causing the staple driver 23 to move into the head to eject a staple through the tag and material and be clinched by the clinching surface 32.

In accordance with my invention, the anvil 28 is provided with a tag holder having a tag supporting portion 34 confronting and extending in spaced relation to the clinching surface 32. In Figures 1 to 5, the tag holder consists of .a .plate 36 aflixed to the under or lower side side 37 of the anvil 28, the forward end of the plate being bent downwardly, as at 38, and formed with a slot to receive a narrowed tongue portion 39 of a blade 40. The inner end of the tongue portion 39 is connected to a tension spring 42, the opposite end of which is connected to a lug 43 depending from the plate 36 whereby the tag supporting portion, in this case the blade 40, 'is positioned in confronting relation to the clinching end of the anvil and extends upwardly and diverges therefrom, as shown in Figure 1, for the reception of a tag folded at its center to provide a V formation. The edge of a garment can then be inserted in the V-shaped tag, the anvil moved into stapling relation to the head and the tag stapled to the garment.

Preferably, means is provided to yieldingly secure the tag in flat form to the upper surface of the anvil. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, this may consist of a clamp member 46 overlying the upper surface 47 of the anvil and being formed with ears 48 overlying opposite sides of the anvil and being mounted on a pivot pin 50. A compression spring 51 is inserted between the anvil and the handle or actuating portion 52 of the clamp member, the spring 51 being located forwardly of the pivot pin 50. A pin 53 is fixed to the forward end of the clamp member 46 and is normally positioned in a recess formed in the top surface 47 of the anvil. One end portion of designating the edge portion of the garment.

exposed for the reception of the staple.

' a tag T may be inserted between the anvil and the pin 53 by depressing the handle portion 52 of the clamp member, the spring SIserving to urge the pin 53 against the tag and fix it to the upper surface of the anvil. The major portion of the tag extends forwardly in substantially With this arrangement, the edge portion of a garment, or other article, can be positioned on the tag and moved downwardly, drawing the tag into the holder 34,'whereby the tag overlies both sides of the garment or article, and

extends around theedge thereof. 'When the anvil is moved forwardly into stapling relation to the head, the tag is affixed, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, G

be observed that the staple 55 extends through both end portions of the tag T, whereby the tag is firmly stapled It 'will perpendicular relation to the forward end face 31 of the anvil and overlies the tag holder 34.

a to the garment, avoiding or minimizing the possibility of arms, these arms being bent downwardly, as at 62,

"merging with a curved portion 63 and then extending upwardly and diverging outwardly from the end face 31 ofthe anvil, ,as at 64. The upwardly extending arm portions 64 are formed'with side flanges 65, the holder,

/ as in the structure previously described, providing a V- shaped arrangement for holding the. tag T, as shown in dotted outline in the plan view, Figure 8.

The width of'the stapling head is comparable to the width of the clinching surface 32, and the arms 64 are spaced apart a sufiicient distance to clear the sides of the stapling head, whereby a portion of' the tag is It will be understood the tag clamp 46 is also employed in' connection with the tag holder shown in Figures 6 to 10.

-In1the structure shown in Figures 1 'to 5, the upper.

edge of the blade is positioned to also expose a portion ofthe tag-that is, the upper edge of the blade 40 ter minates below the staple -ejected by the head.

In -both instances, the end of the plates 36, 60, are formed with slots 70, andthe intermediate portionof both plates is provided with a keyhole aperture 71.

Shouldered screws 72, 73, are threaded intoithe under surface of the anvil 28. The tag holder is detachably mounted on the anvil by positioning the samewith the circular portion of the keyhole aperture '71 in registration with the head of screw 73, pressing the blade against the under side of the anvil and moving it rearwardly, the

, slot 70 receiving the screw 72. The tag clamp or gripper 46 is not shown in connection with Figures 6 to 9. However, it will be understood that the tag clamp is used preferably with both forms of tag holders. Figure 11 illustrates a tag stapled to the edge portion of an. article.

What'I claim is: V 1. A machine for stapling identifying tags to garments and'the like, a frame, a stapling head mountedon the 3 frame and havingastaple driver, an anvil mounted on the frame for movement toward and from said stapling head, said anvil having an end surface cooperable with the stapling head to clinch the staple, a tag holder mounted on the anvil, said holder havinga tag supporting portion confronting and extending in spaced relation to the staple clinching surface of the anvil to receive and support a tag of V formation with an exposed portion of the tag inregistration with the driver of the stapling head, whereby'the edge of a garment may be inserted in the tag positioned in the holder preparatory to the stapling of the tag to the garment.

2. A machine as defined in claim 1 wherein said tag supporting portion of the holder consists of a blade member engaging the stapling head and being moved thereby toward the clinching surface of the anvil, and means yieldingly resisting such movement.

3. A machine as defined in claim '1 wherein said tag supporting portion of the holder consists of a pair of arm members extending from the'anvil in spaced relation to receive the stapling head therebetween.

4. A machine for stapling identifying tags to garments and the like comprising a frame, a stapling head mounted on the frame and having a staple driver, an

anvil mounted on the frame in confronting relation to said stapling head for movement toward and from said head, said anvil having an end staple clinching surface cooperable with said stapling head to clinch an ejected staple, a tag holder detachably mounted on the anvil and having a tag supporting portion confronting and extending angularly and in spaced relation to the clinching surface of the anvil to receive and support a tag of Vforrnation, means carried by the anvil and operable to yieldingly secure an end portion of a tag to the anvil with the body portion of the tag extending perpendicular to the clinching surface of the anvil and above said tag holder, whereby the intermediate portion of thesecured tag may be drawn into the holder by the edge portion of a garment. a

5 A machine for stapling identifying tags to garments, a frame, a stapling head mounted in the frame, an anvil mounted in the frame for movement forwardly into engagement with the stapling head, said anvil having an end clinching surface confronting and movable into engagement with the stapling head, said anvil'al'so having spaced apart upper and lower surfaces extending rearwardly from said clinching surface, a tag holder carried. 'by the'anvil, said holder comprising a plate mounted on said lower surface of theanvil and having a tag supporting portion confronting said clinching surface and diverg-" ing upwardly therefrom to receive and support a tag of V formation with an exposed portion of the tag in registration with the ejector of the stapling head, and

'means for detachably securing said plate to the lower surface of'theanvil... V

V 6. A machine for stapling identifying tags to garments, a frame, a stapling head mounted in the'frame, an

anvil mounted in the frame for movement'forwardly" into engagement with the stapling head, said anvil having an end clinching surface confronting and movablerinto engagement with the stapling head, said anvil also having spaced apart upper and lower surfaces extending .rear-' wardly from said clinching'surface, atag holder carried 'by the anvil, said holder comprising a plate mounted.

on said lower surface of the anvil and having a pair of arms spaced laterally to receive the stapling head, said 7 armextendingupwardly from said plate: and diverging outwardly from the clinching surface of the anvil to:

receive and support a tag of V formation, and means for detachably securing the plate to the anvil.

No references cited. 

